Hybrid luggage bag

ABSTRACT

A hybrid luggage bag includes first and second shell portions. The first shell portion defines a first side of the bag, and includes a first forward edge. The second shell portion is spaced apart from the first shell portion in a width direction, defines a second side of the bag, and includes a second forward edge. A fabric lid defines a front side of the bag. The fabric lid is releasably fastened to at least one of the first and second forward edges for permitting access to a storage compartment of the bag.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/022,379 filed on Jul. 9, 2014, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to hybrid luggage bags.

BACKGROUND

Hybrid luggage can be constructed of a combination of one or more hard-sided shell portions and at least one fabric portion joined to the shell portions. The shell portions can be formed of several different materials, including aluminum, polycarbonate, ABS and polypropylene, and combinations thereof. The fabric portions can be formed of, for example but not limited to, polyester, nylon and polypropylene fabric materials.

INTRODUCTION

The following paragraphs are intended to introduce the reader to the more detailed description that follows and not to define or limit the claimed subject matter.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a hybrid luggage bag can include: a first shell portion defining a first side of the bag, the first shell portion including a first forward edge; a second shell portion spaced apart from the first shell portion in a width direction and defining a second side of the bag, the second shell portion including a second forward edge; and a fabric lid defining a front side of the bag, the fabric lid releasably fastened to at least one of the first and second forward edges for permitting access to a storage compartment of the bag.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a hybrid luggage bag can include: a first shell portion defining a first side of the bag, the first shell portion including a first forward edge, a first bottom flange, a first rear flange and a first top flange; a second shell portion spaced apart from the first shell portion in a width direction and defining a second side of the bag, the second shell portion including a second forward edge, a second bottom flange, a second rear flange and a second top flange; at least one fabric portion extending in the width direction between the first and second shell portions, the at least one fabric portion including a bottom panel that is joined between the bottom flanges that together define a bottom side of the bag, a rear panel that is joined between the rear flanges that together define a rear side of the bag, and a top panel that is joined between the top flanges that together define a top side of the bag, the bottom panel including a third forward edge, and the top panel including a fourth forward edge; and a fabric lid defining a front side of the bag, the fabric lid releasably fastened to the forward edges for permitting access to a storage compartment of the bag.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a hybrid luggage bag can include: a first shell portion defining a first side of the bag, the first shell portion including a first forward edge and a first bottom flange; a second shell portion spaced apart from the first shell portion in a width direction and defining a second side of the bag, the second shell portion including a second forward edge and a second bottom flange; at least one fabric portion extending in the width direction between the first and second shell portions, the at least one fabric portion including a bottom panel that is joined between the bottom flanges that together define a bottom side of the bag, the bottom panel including a third forward edge; and a fabric lid defining a front side of the bag, the fabric lid releasably fastened to the forward edges for permitting access to a storage compartment of the bag, the fabric lid including at least one pocket that is accessible from an exterior of the bag.

Other aspects and features of the teachings disclosed herein will become apparent, to those ordinarily skilled in the art, upon review of the following description of the specific examples of the present disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings included herewith are for illustrating various examples of apparatuses and methods of the present disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of what is taught in any way. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a hybrid luggage bag;

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the bag of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a right side view of the bag of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of the bag of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view of the bag of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a front, top, right side perspective view of the bag of FIG. 1, shown with a lid in an opened position; and

FIG. 7 is a front, bottom, right side perspective view of the bag of FIG. 1, shown with the lid in the opened position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various apparatuses or methods are described below to provide an example of an embodiment of each claimed invention. No embodiment described below limits any claimed invention and any claimed invention may cover apparatuses and methods that differ from those described below. The claimed inventions are not limited to apparatuses and methods having all of the features of any one apparatus or method described below or to features common to multiple or all of the apparatuses or methods described below. It is possible that an apparatus or method described below is not an embodiment of any claimed invention. Any invention disclosed in an apparatus or method described below that is not claimed in this document may be the subject matter of another protective instrument, and the applicant(s), inventor(s) and/or owner(s) do not intend to abandon, disclaim or dedicate to the public any such invention by its disclosure in this document.

Referring to FIG. 1, a hybrid luggage bag is illustrated generally at reference numeral 10. The bag 10 includes a first shell portion 12. The first shell portion 12 forms a left hand side 14 of the bag 10. The first shell portion 12 includes a first side wall 16 that lies generally in a plane formed by a depth direction 18 and a height direction 20. The first shell portion 12 includes a first forward edge 22 that extends generally parallel to the height direction 20.

Referring to FIG. 2, the bag 10 includes a second shell portion 24. The second shell portion 24 is spaced apart from the first shell portion 12 in a width direction 26. The second shell portion 24 forms a right hand side 28 of the bag 10. The second shell portion 24 includes a second side wall 30 that lies generally in a plane formed by the depth direction 18 and the height direction 20. The second shell portion 24 includes a second forward edge 32 that extends generally parallel to the height direction 20.

The shell portions 12, 24 can be generally complementary in size and shape. The outer surface of each of the shell portions 12, 24 can be formed as a unitary, one-piece member. The shell portions 12, 24 can include an interior lining formed of fabric material.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, the bag 10 further includes a fabric lid 34. The fabric lid 34 forms a front side 36 of the bag 10. The fabric lid 34 is releasably fastened to at least one of the first and second forward edges 22, 32 for accessing a main storage compartment of the bag 10, as described in further detail below.

Referring to FIG. 1, the fabric lid 34 includes first and second pockets 38, 40. The first and second pockets 38, 40 are accessible from an exterior of the bag 10. In the example illustrated, the first and second pockets 38, 40 are partially overlapping.

Referring to FIG. 3, the bag 10 has a depth dimension 42 between the front side 36 and a rear side 44. The bag 10 has a height dimension 46 between a bottom side 48 and a top side 50. In the example illustrated, the shell portions 12, 24 encompass roughly the full depth and height dimensions 42, 46 on the sides 14, 28 (FIGS. 1 and 2), respectively. Furthermore, in the example illustrated, the fabric lid 34 encompasses almost the full height dimension 46 on the front side 36.

Referring to FIG. 4, the bag 10 has a width dimension 52. In the example illustrated, the fabric lid 34 encompasses roughly the full width dimension 52. In the example illustrated, the shell portions 12, 24 curve inwardly to form top flanges 54, 56, respectively. Each of the top flanges 54, 56 lies generally in a plane formed by the depth direction 18 and the width direction 26 (FIGS. 1 and 2). The top flanges 54, 56 are spaced apart from one another, so the shell portions 12, 24 do not span the width dimension 52 entirely.

In the example illustrated, the bag 10 further includes at least one fabric portion 58 that is joined between the first and second shell portions 12, 24. The at least one fabric portion 58 can also include an interior lining formed of fabric material, which can be the same interior lining as that of the shell portions 12, 24 so the interior of the bag 10 has a unified appearance.

With continued reference to FIG. 4, the at least one fabric portion 58 includes a top panel 60. The top panel 60 is joined between the top flanges 54, 56. In the example illustrated, the top panel 60 is attached to the top flanges 54, 56 by piping seams 62, 64, respectively. Together, the top flanges 54, 56 and the top panel 60 form the top side 50 of the bag 10 (FIG. 3).

In the example illustrated, the bag 10 includes a trolley handle 66. The trolley handle 66 is shown received in a recess 68. The recess 68 is formed in the at least one fabric portion 58 and is bounded by a rim 70. Furthermore, the bag 10 is shown to include a top handle 72 mounted to the top panel 60.

Referring to FIG. 5, the shell portions 12, 24 are shown to curve inwardly to form rear flanges 74, 76, respectively. Each of the rear flanges 74, 76 lies generally in a plane formed by the height direction 20 and the width direction 26 (FIGS. 1 and 2). The at least one fabric portion 58 includes a rear panel 78. The rear panel 78 is joined between the rear flanges 74, 76. In the example illustrated, the rear panel 78 is attached to the rear flanges 74, 76 by the piping seams 62, 64, respectively. Together, the rear flanges 74, 76 and the rear panel 78 form the rear side 44 of the bag 10 (FIG. 3).

In the example illustrated, the bag 10 includes a cardholder 80 mounted to the rear panel 78.

The shell portions 12, 24 are also shown to curve inwardly to form bottom flanges 82, 84, respectively. Each of the bottom flanges 82, 84 lies generally in a plane formed by the depth direction 18 and the width direction 26 (FIGS. 1 and 2). The at least one fabric portion 58 includes a bottom panel 86. The bottom panel 86 is joined between the bottom flanges 82, 84. In the example illustrated, the bottom panel 86 is attached to the bottom flanges 82, 84 by the piping seams 62, 64, respectively. Together, the bottom flanges 82, 84 and the bottom panel 86 form the bottom side 48 of the bag 10 (FIG. 3).

In the example illustrated, the bag 10 includes a plurality of wheels 88, which are mounted to the bottom flanges 82, 84 by wheel housings 90. The wheels 88 can be swivel wheels. The wheel housings 90 can be connected to the bottom flanges 82, 84 by rivets or another suitable fastening mechanism.

In the example illustrated, the top, rear and bottom panels 60, 78, 86 are formed by one piece of fabric material. However, in other examples, the panels 60, 78, 86 can be formed of two or more pieces of fabric material suitably joined. Various configurations are possible.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the fabric lid 34 in an opened position provides access to a main storage compartment 92 of the bag 10. In the example illustrated, the fabric lid 34 is joined to the first forward edge 22 of the shell portion 12 (FIG. 1) by a hinged connection 94. The bottom panel 86 includes a third forward edge 96, and the top panel 60 includes a fourth forward edge 98. Each of the third and fourth forward edges 96, 98 extends generally parallel to the width direction 26 (FIG. 1). The fabric lid 34 is releasably fastened to the forward edges 96, 32, 98 by a closure mechanism.

Referring to FIG. 4, the closure mechanism can take the form of a zipper 100, which extends partially about a periphery of the fabric lid 34. In the example illustrated, a piping seam 102 provides a means of attaching the zipper 100 to the shell portions 12, 24 and the at least one fabric portion 58, and extends about the periphery of the fabric lid 34 in parallel with the zipper 100. In the example illustrated, zippers 104, 106 are also used to provide access to the first and second pockets 38, 40, respectively.

As shown in FIG. 6, with the fabric lid arranged along the front side of the bag 10 (i.e. the front side 36 shown in FIG. 3), a user is provided with almost the full depth of the bag 10 (i.e. the depth dimension 42 shown in FIG. 3) for packing. In the example illustrated, the forward edges 22, 32 are shown to have a slight curvature, and therefore the depth dimension is not precisely uniform across the height of the bag 10, with a depth dimension 108 being slightly greater than a depth dimension 110. This curvature achieves a particular aesthetic outcome, and can also provide for some of the depth of the bag 10 to be taken up by the fabric lid 34, towards the top of the bag, which can accommodate a volume of the pockets 38, 40. This is best shown in FIG. 3.

Furthermore, as mentioned above, the fabric lid 34 encompasses almost the full height of the bag 10 (i.e. the height dimension 46 shown in FIG. 3). In other words, the fabric lid 34 fastens to the forward edge 96 near to the bottom panel 86, and to the forward edge 98 close to the top panel 60. When the fabric lid 34 is opened, the user is therefore provided with almost the full height of the bag 10 for packing.

In the example illustrated, the fabric lid 34 is shown to be integral. In other examples, the fabric lid can be formed of two portions (or more), that are configured to open and close independently of one another. In such examples, the lid portions can be releasably joined to one another, e.g., with a zipper or another suitable closure mechanism, roughly midway between the forward edges 96, 98. Alternatively, a strut element (not shown) can be suspended across the bag 10, and each of the lids can be releasably joined to the strut element.

In the example illustrated, the side wall 30 of the shell portion 24 includes an embossed section 112. The embossed section 112 can take the form of various shapes, and can be provided for aesthetic reasons. The embossed section 112 can also impart structural rigidity to the side wall 30.

In the example illustrated, the bag 10 includes additional features. FIG. 1 shows feet 114 mounted to the shell portion 12. FIG. 3 shows a side handle 116 mounted to the side wall 30 of the shell portion 24. FIG. 6 shows interior pockets 118 and an interior zippered pocket 120. FIG. 6 also shows straps 122 for holding contents in place in the bag 10.

The shell portions 12, 24 can provide structural support and rigidity to the bag 10. With the shell portions 12, 24 arranged along the sides of the bag 10, and at each of its four corners, they can provide the benefits of hard-sided materials to these regions, including, without limitation, durability, protection of the packed contents, light weight, and attractiveness. Incorporating the fabric lid 34 can permit the inclusion of the pockets 38, 40. Otherwise, exterior pockets are typically not possible with an entirely hard-sided luggage bag.

Incorporating the fabric lid 34 and/or the at least one fabric portion 58 can also simplify manufacturing of the bag 10, as compared with an entirely hard-sided luggage bag. For a hard-sided bag formed of polycarbonate, for example, it can be difficult to form the bag in one piece and have an adequate depth dimension of the bag. However, because each of the shell portions 12, 24 can be molded independently of the other, the bag 10 can be formed to have a relatively large depth dimension (i.e. depth dimension 42 shown in FIG. 3), and, as mentioned above, a user is provided with almost the full depth of the bag 10 for packing. Moreover, depending on selection of materials, incorporating the fabric lid and/or the at least one fabric portion can result in a lighter weight bag, as compared with an entirely hard-sided luggage bag, for example.

While the above description provides examples of one or more apparatuses or methods, it will be appreciated that other apparatuses or methods may be within the scope of the accompanying claims. 

We claim:
 1. A hybrid luggage bag, comprising: a first shell portion defining a first side of the bag, the first shell portion comprising a first forward edge; a second shell portion spaced apart from the first shell portion in a width direction and defining a second side of the bag, the second shell portion comprising a second forward edge; and a fabric lid defining a front side of the bag, the fabric lid releasably fastened to at least one of the first and second forward edges for permitting access to a storage compartment of the bag.
 2. The bag of claim 1, wherein the fabric lid comprises at least one pocket that is accessible from an exterior of the bag.
 3. The bag of claim 2, further comprising at least one fabric portion extending in the width direction and coupling the first and second shell portions.
 4. The bag of claim 3, wherein each of the shell portions comprises a bottom flange, and the at least one fabric portion comprises a bottom panel that is joined between the bottom flanges, the bottom flanges and the bottom panel together defining a bottom side of the bag.
 5. The bag of claim 4, further comprising a plurality of wheels mounted to the bottom flanges.
 6. The bag of claim 5, wherein each of the shell portions comprises a rear flange, and the at least one fabric portion comprises a rear panel that is joined between the rear flanges, the rear flanges and the rear panel together defining a rear side of the bag.
 7. The bag of claim 6, wherein each of the shell portions comprises a top flange, and the at least one fabric portion comprises a top panel that is joined between the top flanges, the top flanges and the top panel together defining a top side of the bag.
 8. The bag of claim 7, further comprising at least one of a trolley handle and a top handle mounted to the top panel.
 9. The bag of claim 3, wherein each of the shell portions comprises a bottom flange, a rear flange and a top flange, and the at least one fabric portion comprises a bottom panel, a rear panel and a top panel that are joined between the bottom flanges, the rear flanges and the top flanges, respectively, of the shell portions.
 10. The bag of claim 9, wherein the bottom panel comprises a third forward edge, the top panel comprise a fourth forward edge, and the fabric lid is releasably fastened to at least two of the first, second, third and fourth forward edges by a closure mechanism.
 11. The bag of claim 10, wherein the fabric lid is releasably fastened to three of the forward edges by the closure mechanism, and hingedly connected to the remaining one of the forward edges.
 12. The bag of claim 11, wherein the closure mechanism comprises a zipper.
 13. The bag of claim 1, further comprising at least one fabric portion extending in the width direction and coupling the first and second shell portions, and wherein each of the shell portions comprises a bottom flange, a rear flange and a top flange, and the at least one fabric portion comprises a bottom panel, a rear panel and a top panel that are joined between the bottom flanges, the rear flanges and the top flanges, respectively, of the shell portions.
 14. The bag of claim 13, wherein the bottom panel comprises a third forward edge, the top panel comprise a fourth forward edge, and the fabric lid is releasably fastened to at least two of the first, second, third and fourth forward edges by a closure mechanism.
 15. The bag of claim 14, wherein the fabric lid is releasably fastened to three of the forward edges by the closure mechanism, and hingedly connected to the remaining one of the forward edges.
 16. The bag of claim 15, wherein the closure mechanism comprises a zipper.
 17. A hybrid luggage bag, comprising: a first shell portion defining a first side of the bag, the first shell portion comprising a first forward edge, a first bottom flange, a first rear flange and a first top flange; a second shell portion spaced apart from the first shell portion in a width direction and defining a second side of the bag, the second shell portion comprising a second forward edge, a second bottom flange, a second rear flange and a second top flange; at least one fabric portion extending in the width direction between the first and second shell portions, the at least one fabric portion comprising a bottom panel that is joined between the bottom flanges that together define a bottom side of the bag, a rear panel that is joined between the rear flanges that together define a rear side of the bag, and a top panel that is joined between the top flanges that together define a top side of the bag, the bottom panel comprising a third forward edge, and the top panel comprising a fourth forward edge; and a fabric lid defining a front side of the bag, the fabric lid releasably fastened to the forward edges for permitting access to a storage compartment of the bag.
 18. The bag of claim 17, wherein the fabric lid comprises at least one pocket that is accessible from an exterior of the bag.
 19. The bag of claim 18, further comprising a plurality of wheels mounted to the bottom flanges, and at least one of a trolley handle and a top handle mounted to the top panel.
 20. A hybrid luggage bag, comprising: a first shell portion defining a first side of the bag, the first shell portion comprising a first forward edge and a first bottom flange; a second shell portion spaced apart from the first shell portion in a width direction and defining a second side of the bag, the second shell portion comprising a second forward edge and a second bottom flange; at least one fabric portion extending in the width direction between the first and second shell portions, the at least one fabric portion comprising a bottom panel that is joined between the bottom flanges that together define a bottom side of the bag, the bottom panel comprising a third forward edge; and a fabric lid defining a front side of the bag, the fabric lid releasably fastened to the forward edges for permitting access to a storage compartment of the bag, the fabric lid comprising at least one pocket that is accessible from an exterior of the bag. 